Learner drivers have been dealt a tough hand over the past few years while aspiring to finally get on the roads.
Firstly, the global coronavirus pandemic put a halt to lessons and tests due to stringent restrictions, and now an economic cost of living crisis is forcing the hardest hit to abandon their pricey instructor fees. Furthermore, a recent survey from Marmalade Insurance suggested that almost half of instructors have upped the price of lessons as a result of Covid and lockdowns alone.
The Daily Record reports that around 40% of instructors across the UK have increased their fees since the beginning of 2020, with the average one-hour lesson now costing in the ball park of £31.15 - a nine per cent increase from £28.47 in the previous year.
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However, many disabled people may not be aware that the Motability Scheme can offer up to 40 hours of free driving lessons to those who qualify. As the average learner driver needs between 40-50 hours of lessons before they are test-ready, this could potentially cover your full learning journey and is something many disabled people may not be aware of.
And, if you have a driving licence but are making the transition to an adapted vehicle, the Motability Scheme can help by funding familiarisation lessons. These specialist lessons give you time to learn how to operate an adapted vehicle under the supervision of a trained instructor.
Who can apply for the Motability Driving Lessons Grant Programme?
The Motability Driving Lessons Grant Programme currently prioritises funding for people want to learn to drive and who are:
1. In receipt of one of these disability allowances:
- Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of Child Disability Payment
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
2. Receive a Government assessed means-tested benefit, including:
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
- Job Seekers Allowance (income-based)
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Benefit (Council Tax Support, Council Tax Reduction)
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
You must also have a current lease agreement on the Motability Scheme or have a pending application for a vehicle on the Motability Scheme, with a confirmed date to take delivery of the vehicle within the next four months.
Guidance on the Motability website states: “All grant applications are means-tested to ensure Motability supports those most in need of a charitable grant and help as many beneficiaries as possible with the charitable funds available.
“This means we will look at your financial situation to determine if we are able to provide a grant towards your lessons.”
Motability adds that the applicant will need to pay for the full cost of both their theory and practical driving tests.
For more information about the grant, visit the Motability website, here.
Will you be making the most of this new revelation?
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